Shaun Pardon, a 54-year-old man from Norwich, has admitted to attempting to groom a teenage girl online.

Pardon believed he was communicating with a 13-year-old girl but was actually interacting with a decoy account set up by paedophile hunters. The group confronted him at his home, and footage of the encounter was subsequently posted online.

Norwich Magistrates' Court heard that Pardon began messaging the profile in December 2023, initiating conversations with phrases like "hello gorgeous." Despite being told the girl he was talking to was supposedly 13 years old, he continued the contact. He sent inappropriate messages, asking to play sex games and requesting explicit images.

Prosecuting counsel Sarah Fiddy stated that Pardon had sent an image of his penis despite the decoy account discussing her day at school and stating she needed to go to bed early. On other occasions, he asked to see her naked.

Pardon pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child over a two-week period between December 31, 2023, and January 19, 2024. He also admitted to possession of cannabis.

Video footage of the confrontation shows Pardon stating he was only talking to that one girl and denied knowing her age despite evidence presented in their chats indicating her youthfulness.

Deputy District Judge Charlotte Hart ordered a pre-sentence report to consider all sentencing options, including immediate custody. She indicated that a strong likelihood existed for Pardon to be placed on the sex offenders register.

Pardon is scheduled to be sentenced on February 20, 2024.